I've been giving the import guitar hater syndrome some thought? Phil McKnight got asked by a viewer how to stop being a guitar snob? I noticed Phil really had no answers? I've come to the conclusion that these insecure people need to belittle others that can find happiness in inexpensive gear. If your soured to the world of affordable gear, don't ruin it for others! Let people have their own levels of fun without judging them.
The funny part about it all, is that I can afford to buy any price guitar. I chose not to spend over $1500 for many reasons. It's my belief the majority of people use the cost as a way to feel superior. I've found I get more enjoyment out of affordable guitars, especially when it triggers toy boys into fits of rage. Latest example of this, is that Dylan character from RUclips that sells pickups. Lately, he's been on the bandwagon about what makes his $3200 hundred dollar Slash model superior. The fact that his girl picked it out, and it weighs over 10lbs. is enough for me to dismiss it outright. I received my first PRS yesterday, an SE McCarty .594 singlecut standard in vintage cherry. It's weighs 7lbs. 12ozs. and was $629. The math doesn't lie.
@@andrewbecker3700To friggin right bud!!! I'm the same way. I'm 32yo, been playing guitar since I was 12yo and professionally since I was 24. I can afford whatever I want, BUT choose to stay in 1k-1200k price range because after that your only jerkin yourself off to have an ultra pretty piece of heavy azz furniture to lug around. I just received my double cut PRS McCarty SE and it's a beast. Definitely gonna be a workhorse for me next to MIJ Jazzmaster. I've come to understand that people who are frustrated that they aren't any good at actually playing guitar have to buy expensive guitars in the hopes that wood and strings that look pretty are going to make them "good" because of it's "mojo" and it's just sad. They take something beautiful and turn it into just another money game.
@@andrewbecker3700 you're so right. I used to be a Gibby fan boy, I bought a LP back in 1993, that was my dream, I spent 75% of my bank account on it, I have a special relationship with that guitar, it sounds good but I won't lie: it has many flaws (I call it "the backbone breaker"). Nowadays, any PRS SE or Yamaha Revstar RS would be a far superior choice, for less than 1/3d of the price. If I really wanted to spend more than 2-3k on an instrument I would go to a local luthier and order a custom made guitar, with my specs.
@@arvetemecha There's just soo many perfectly good guitars out there under $1500. I don't think in this modern day and age it's absolutely nessessary to spend double that to be respected. These mid teir guitars can be hot rodded and set up to be extraordinary, with a little effort and pocket change. Only my Sterling Stingray Ray34 bass and Epiphone '59 LP are factory stock, except straplocks. All the others are heavily modified. That's what I enjoy doing. Buying expensive guitars that your probably not gonna modify, is boring to me. Any goof can have the same guitar. I'm always searching for that something extra out of my guitars. Something better.
That's true but really you are taking a big risk buying these fakes from China not trying to talk bad about China but you have about a fifty fifty shot of getting good quality they are always about mass production and they will send anything out even if the paint is horrible they'll say it's okay it's not that bad. Really people you should buy American made but if you don't mind taking risks buy Chinese guitars at your own risk. I've bought three guitars and paid about 300 something for each and they were all shit. I'm not kidding you're taking a risk buying Chinese made sometimes they do okay but sometimes they could send you something that you would get really pissed about.
@@patrickshannon4516 Pat, you do have some good points, I believe in buying American, however the QC on some knockoffs exceeds some US made now. They often offer hassle free exchanges if not perfect . I remember a few years back fighting like hell with “F” to rectify a brand new T-guitar that I received, flawed. They did not want to stand behind their American product.
@@tomd8313 yes I get that, but these "sweatshops" in China are hiring people with very few guitar luther skills and their main priority is not quality that being said I'm also not here to argue the point of if American quality is any better but these factories in China are not about training or any of that they are more focused on corporate greed than anything else. They hire as many people as they can and pay very low wages and their main priority is how many they can produce. Why do they do that so people like you and I will just say okay it's not real but I want one anyways so I'll go ahead and buy it. It's really a good thing because I myself can't afford a four thousand dollar guitar and even if I could afford it I don't think I would put up that much cash for a guitar so I think more less it's good because it let's people pretend they are playing the real thing... But they do things differently there I'm just here to tell the people what they may or may not know when they buy a guitar from a Chinese factory. Money and greed are more important to them than anything else not our feelings on whether we got a quality instrument...
Thanks for your comments! I started playing in bands in '67 and have owned my share of 50's and 60's Gibson and Fenders(61 SG Les Paul, '57 Tele, '64 Strat to name a few). I also recall the decline in quality of said brands in the 1970's and '80's. In my earlier days there were few options for a quality playing inexpensive guitar- most were junk. That is no longer the case. We are living in a remarkable time for anyone wanting to find a quality guitar at a reasonable price and not married to a "name". I currently own a number of guitars made in China that I consider some of the best playing guitars I've ever owned (check out Eart). Also Viet Nam with IYV ( own 5 of them). 2 favorites of mine are Harley Benton LP Junior's - have played originals and these stand right alongside! True - sometimes you need to do a bit of set up and minor things like polish frets, etc but once you do you have a great instrument. At least that's been my experience.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts man, I’m glad you get so much enjoyment from your collection. I’m from Liverpool (the original one in England) so all guitars are made overseas as far as I’m concerned - apart from a Gordon Smith I once owned and wish I still had. I really enjoy my own collection which has some American, some Mexican, some Chinese, Indonesian and Korean. What matters isn’t where they’re made or what it says on the brand logo, it’s how they make you feel when you play them so forget the haters and just make your own music.
I'm also from the UK - I like your comment about overseas guitars! I'm an acoustic player. I recently bought a secondhand Guild dreadnought made in China (a GAD-50). It's first class, right up there with the USA makes both in sound and build quality - and yes, I've owned Martins, Gibsons and Taylors, so I know what a good 'un sounds like.
@@gam1471 Thanks! I have to say that every comment from the UK about any of my guitars from China especially my 59 G/M Chibson are polite respectful and understanding with out any nasty! So I thank you for that! In time on one of my videos I will give a shout out to the friendly people of the UK! You might want to check out my Harley Benton B-Stock Wednesday! Video ruclips.net/video/a5EaQzzzHxk/видео.htmlsi=-Dgmu_-N7IvI9zFX
Really like your vid. I'm 72 years old. Started playing guitar at the age of 15. Played in numerous bands over the years. When I started playing there were few decent guitars available and the only makers of them were F3nder and Gibbson. Over the years I have owned a lot of guitars from those 2 companies. Now, there are so many good low priced guitars being made that in fact rival the vintage guitars I owned over the years. A lot of the guitars back in the day were hit or miss. They were made by hand and people make mistakes and sometimes you got a lemon. I have owned a variety of Asian made guitars that are quite good. I change out hardware and pickups if I think the guitar could be improved. Quite frankly, save your money and stop buying expensive guitars folks and invest in really good amplification. When you are gigging no one knows what the F+++ you are playing but they can sure hear the sound you are producing. AMPS AMPS AMPS. That is where your money should go. Keep up the good work and F+++ those jerkoffs that quite frankly don't know sh+t about sounding good.
If the guitar plays and sounds great, who cares what it is or where it is made! I own a Chinese copy of James Hetfield's Ken Lawrence Explorer, and I absolutely love it. Did it need some work when I got it, yes. A setup, fret polishing, and swapped out the electronics and hardware. I love that guitar! Play what you love, and screw the trolls man. Great video, keep it up!
For sure dude, it's about the sound anyway and about you having fun playing that guitar with that sound. It's not about being a "real Gibson" and you going around bragging about how expensive your guitar is. Sure, you sometimes have to pay for quality. But not for a logo on a headstock.
@@Olegstuff21986 I agree but if I post a video of my 59-G/M Chibson people go nuts because they realize they payed stupid money just to say they have a USA Gibson and I don't. Thanks!
I have a Squire and a Fender AMP, and sounds amazing... In the past it was not easy to find a nice guitar with a low price, but now you can get amazing guitars not só expensive... Im super happy with mine!!!!
Bean, I stumbled on to this video. I'm a tech. I find the Chibson LP's to range from amazing to awful. Just had one in the shop that the fret scale is all out of whack. BTW, back in the early 90's I was the tech at a large guitar store. Gibson arranged a clinic at our store with your idol! What a wonderful person. When he hung his LP around a 12 year old's neck to show him how to play a certain lick we all just smiled. BTW, we jammed for a good bit after we closed and Gary played my 59 LP Special! Play what you love and screw the Trolls!
So I have 3 chibsons and only one is a wall hanger the other 2 play amazing once I put real pickups and re did the pots. I have 2 schecters and 1 epihone and 3 dean ml . And for the money I have into the chibsons I can't complain. Someone wants to play that's what I hand them.
Thanks so much, you just made my day with your great comment! And yes sometimes it's a crap shoot with any guitar. I've also had my share of problems even with brand name guitars frets, neck pu's, it makes no difference who makes it. Thanks again! Rock on!
If I had room for multiple guitars I would buy a couple Chinese made guitars just for the fun of it. if it plays well, or can easily be moded, why not?
I love cheap guitars. That's all I buy. Either that, or more expensive guitars that are used. If you feel you must have a Gibson, go buy one. But don't annoy people that aren't about to pay thousands for 6 letters on a head stock.
It's a double-edged sword. The less views, the less chances of negativity being dropped in the comments. (I've never gotten a troll) I agree with having a variety of fun to play guitars and using them for different genres and vibes. Playing guitar is about enjoying yourself, not looking down on other players because of what they're playing.
Snobbery is not limited to guitars. We'd all like a Rolls Royce car, but living in the real world, we have to be real. I bought a Harley Benton Lemon coloured Guitar for around £200 and it is just fantastic. Beautiful looking ( After I removed the odd Scratchplate) The Pickups are amazing. It plays at least as good as my Mexico Fender, which is my most expensive guitar. So many reviewers of guitars can make the cheap ones sound fab. If you can afford an expensive one, good for you, but most of us are happy with what we have. Great Video, my friend.
Thank you I appreciate it! The great guitars that are being made now are fantastic and we don't have to spend a lot of money just to have a Gibson or Fender logo on the headstock just to say "look what I have" then snubbing their nose at other brands. I've had them all and it's not that we can't afford them we just rather have a guitar that's just as good and keep our money for more great affordable guitars! And I too just started liking the look of the pickguard/scratchplate off the LP's! You Rock!
I absolutely love my Epiphone collection of low end guitars..my Epi 100,and my Epi Trad Pro are fantastic..all made in China as well..I chose them mainly on looks,then tweaked what I needed for my taste.
And theirs nothing wrong with that! It's the guitar snobs that want nothing to do with anything not made in America and shun all things made in China but own lots of things made in China like the Apple phone they use to leave a nasty comment. Thanks!!!
Right and as long as you love it that's all that maters! One of my friends that's a professional player, his main guitar is not a big brand name! Thanks for your comment!
A tip for you. I use many different amps but a favorite of mine is a Roland cube 90 watt. This digital amp has an extension speaker out 8 ohm for a 1x12 cab extension. Its a modeling amp and will match any guitar you have. Great tone and power.
Most of these guitars have a solid maple cap, but the maple is plain, so they also add a flamed maple veneer over the plain maple cap. I don't know of any of them that have ONLY the flamed maple veneer over a carved mahogany body. By removing the pickups and examining the inside, you can't say that the flamed maple cap doesn't have a veneer. As long as the finish is translucent and shows the wood grain, it most likely is a plain maple cap with a flamed maple veneer. If the finish is solid and not translucent, like on a gold top, then you cannot tell if it is maple without scraping the inside of a cavity. Like I said below, my Chibson 56 P90 goldtop has a particleboard top 😞 I would have never known though if the three-way switch hadn't broken out of the top. I repaired it by taping the top, and pouring epoxy into the cavity from the back. The poker chip is big enough to cover the repair.
God bless ya, man! Great comments about Chinese guitars! Not all of us have 10's of thousands of dollars to spend on Gibsons, PRS, and Fender Guitars... As long as you can play the thing with ease and it sounds good, who cares where it comes from! And let me tell you, I had a $5,000.00 Les Paul Standard from the Gibson Custom Shop and I played a friends "Chibson" that he did some upgrages to and I liked his better!You have a new sub here, my friend! Keep the faith and keep fighting the good fight, my friend! God bless and take care...
. "cheap" guitars in general are more than fine and sound absolutely identical for most applications (where 90% of guitarists play though way too much gain and drown out any dynamics). The issue with cheap guitars is longevity, most of the hardware is made of pot metal and is a lot...A LOT softer than the metal used on higher end guitars. This of course means the frets wear out very quickly. It means the bridge is made of dulling (read: bronze) metal that robs the note of high end. The best thing to do is buy a cheap one and change the bridge (20 bucks). The pots are fine (usually), but are typically small and "feel" odd to those who have used traditional large pots- if you never have played with larger pots,..its not big deal.. My original 90s Epiphone is still a great guitar, i bought it because it was heritage cherry sunburst and looked like Jimmy Page's 59. Don't sweat nasty comments/trolls- If the second coming of Jesus Christ occured and he started a youtube channel, he would be bombarded with nasty comments like everyone else
Dude, have you seen all these guitars that are coming out of Vietnam and Indonesia etc. that are roasted maple necks with stainless steel frets? I think “Guitar Max” (or something like that) is one RUclips channel where he goes into all of it.
*Im British, and absolutely love American made guitars. That said, there are some great Geetars coming out of the sweat shops at ridiculous prices! quality control needs improvement but I have a few now and they work for me.* 😊
If one is ordering a guitar from China, I wonder if it’s possible to specify no electronics - and have a local tech put in quality stuff. It seems a waste to pay for electronics, only to throw them out. A good guitar is a good guitar, regardless of its country of origin. I think most of us would benefit more from spending our money on lessons, rather than more gear, however!
I think imported guitars are the way to go for many people because they are affordable and many have an acceptable level of quality. The key thing to remember is they are built to hit a particular street price. As such, it's not just cheaper labor but also low cost materials that go into the build - the wood, hardware, pickups, pots, switches, even plastics are all lower quality. I've owned a couple of imports along the way that were pretty good but none have stood up as 'better' than the USA made version. It's great that there are so many choices these days at all price points, and at the end of the end day, it comes down to what you can afford and what inspires you to play.
It doesn't matter what kind of guitar you play you have to have talent to make it sound good you could play the cheapest guitar and make it sound good by practicing a lot.
Some so called "chibson" guitar's are decent I've bought some that were okay and some that needed assistance but they aren't horrible guitar's thinking about getting the Ace frehley guitar that you have in the video it got my attention. Wish I could get one with a Floyd Rose in it.
@@patrickshannon4516 My Ace Frehley guitar is a Vintage brand from England however I’ve been looking at those as well the copies that they make on AliExpress eBaylook really good!
I totally agree. There's nothing wrong with a knockoff guitar as long as the thing plays and looks good for you. I have some higher end guitars, and I love a lot of my budget guitars just as much, except they literally cost 90% less lol
Exactly and that's my point, almost everything is made out side of the US because it's cheaper and just as good if not better at times. If only the CEO's and corporate heads take a cut in salary only then can they compete. Thanks!!!
Don't apologise and don't delete the comments good or bad because we all have the right to "voice" opinions, don't get peed off Man be cool and make more Videos! This is all usefull info, thanks.BTW John Hornby Skewes is a UK Music distributor with a very good rep earned from decades of work, if you see JHS it's gonna be good, from Spanish Guitars to brass etc. I wanna hear em now!
Yes and thank you! Although it says in the comments from YT to be respectful I did have a few real nasty ones and I feel people should be able to say what ever they want even if they disagree or hate me for what I am saying, I don't want others to see that and be offended by their repetitive rude comments so those I delete. As for the other bone heads, well I can't stop ignorant people. Rock On!
I don't care where the guitar is made. If you enjoy it and it inspires you...go for it. I've owned just about one of everything from everywhere at this point.
100% agree, don't be a brand whore, buy what you like and play what you like. Owning a $3000 guitar is not going to make you a better guitar player. Stop letting these big brands steal your money, you can get a great guitar for a fraction of the price of the name brands.
@@beannie60 for example, I just bought a beautiful brand new Harley Benton sc 450 plus, gold top for the price of ONE Gibson pick up. And it looks, sounds and plays just as good as the brand name guitar it's modeled after. As far as people complaining about where these guitars are coming from, they come from the same places that everything you buy these days come from, we don't manufacture anything in the US anymore, that goes for even Harley Davidson the great "American" machine, the parts are made overseas, they are only assembled here. The fact remains, if you can play guitar you can make any guitar sound great, if you suck at playing guitar your still gonna suck with $3000 guitar. Improving your skills is the key, improving your guitar will do nothing for you except empty your pockets
I had a pre lawsuit ibanez lp custom which i absolutely loved and rated that superior to anything gibson was releasing. It was a special made one for a great Australian guitarist and he ended up taking another one.
Wow, a pre lawsuit Ibanez LP custom eh? NIce! I had lawsuit Ibanez LP custom and I loved it! The nicest slim taper neck I've ever played, had it for over 40 years until it got stolen. Really superb guitars no doubt!
@@Marcus_C51 That's sucks about your guitar. People have been copying anything good that sells and copy guitars started in the 70's but sometimes they are better then the originals.
@@beannie60 Thanks for your condolences-that was a rough loss. Also had 4 Fender Strats stolen along with it. The crazy thing I didn't mention was I traded a 62 Strat straight across for the Ibanez LP! I still think it was a good decision. However, I haven't looked at what an original one of those is selling for these days-ouch! At the time I'd had the Strat for a couple of months and hated the tiny frets, the action was too low (couldn't seem to raise it enough) and I just wasn't used to single coils. From time to time I'd hear that the guitarist I traded with would ask is he really still playing that thing? ha ha. Yes, you are so right-sometimes the copies play better than the real ones. I also have a partscaster that was made from a Japanese Strat a buddy sold to me after I got the Ibanez LP. Kept the body, put on the thinnest neck I've ever seen and it is a dream to play. Had a really good shop do a complete rework, new whammy bar, bone nut etc. on it and it is like buttah. Have lace sensors in it and love it. I don't understand the disparaging comments I see for Laces, at the time they came out the noise cancelling qualities were a big factor. But they sound great as well. Speaking of 70's guitars, I've heard some 70's Alvarez-Yairi acoustics that sound as nice as Martins they are based on.
I've had the privilege/curse of owning 3 Les Paul guitars so far. The first one was a Mako Les Paul. It was built like a Tank and about as heavy as one, too! My next Les Paul was a '89 cherry sunburst Standard and my last Les Paul was a '81 Les Paul Custom which was also Cherry Sunburst. I busted my ass to get the money together to get "REAL" Gibson... But... After I got them I absolutely DID NOT enjoy playing gigs with them! I was always worried that someone was going to steal them that I couldn't even enjoy them!! So I sold them. To all of the people who are giving you a hard time about your inexpensive LP type guitars ignore them! Save your money and buy 1 Gibson guitar... Some fool steals it... Then you have 0 Gibson guitar. Save your money and buy 6 LP type guitars for the same money as 1 Gibson guitar... Some fool steals it... You still have 5 guitars! Keep up the great content my friend! One more thing... It's YOUR MONEY SO SPEND IT HOWEVER YOU SEE FIT!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Thank you so very much for your comment I really do appreciate it! And although it may sound like I’m knocking Gibson guitars I’m just saying there’s other options out there until they come down on there insane prices. And I do miss the Gibsons that I had and now wish I still had the 6 or more that I had, along with all the guitars that I’ve sold over the years!👍
My two favorite guitars are Gretsch, Nick 13 Tiger Jet and a 125th Anniversary Gold Top Pro Jet. Both were made in China and are amazing! The guitars that make you want to play are the best in IMHO 😊👍
When it comes to clone guitars, or guitars made overseas, the ONLY problem is have with them is when they are presented as authentics. My favorite guitars are prs. Even then, i only own the se line guitars that are made in indonesia. Ive owned the s2’s and the cores, but i dont see the need to own those when the se play well enough for me. Be well and happy new year.
My Gibsons are much better than the Chibsons I have had ....but the price I paid for the Gibsons was many times what a Chibson cost. I think if the guitar you get makes you happy and you enjoy playing it then the origin or the brand of the guitar means nothing.Don't let the trolls get you down - keep making videos as your input matters and the trolls have absolutely no value in any meaningful discussion . That Greeny Les Paul looks great and you didn't have to spend $ 20,000 !
Thank you! I really think I got supper lucky with my Greeny/Moore however for me my Chibson was better than any Gibson I ever owned and I spent a lot of time and work on getting my G/M just right.
1ST THE woods are not same, different on China guitars & Topps are either photo engraved or a thin laminate,, on those chipsons and an inferior microphonic pickups(,change em), and those are fake Grover keys ( change them)! put about $700 + into the guitar before it plays well, almost forgot you have to rewire the entire guitar because the wiring is very thin, plastic and inferior compared to a REAL GIBSONs wiring,, and the PUP SELECTOR SWITCH NEEDS TO REPLACED , will move on you and your input switches are also inferior you have Epiphone like bridge.
@@beannie60yep I also own a Fake Gibson,/ Chibson,it does need some updates,like u said,the puckups#1,& the knockoff Grover tuners,swapped w/ real GROVER TUNERS. THERE'S 2 two ways to tell if they're not real, GROVERS,,( as you probably know) so I also have to rewire mine. Theres no real neck radius, on mine, i s a very flat Radius like a Jackson guitar. After all that and it says Gibson on the headstock. I'm not disappointed with the guitar, EXPECIALLY for the price. I thought this was going to be a wall hanger but it is much more than that it fits in with all my other Gibson's and vintage guitars aesthetically quite well...
Dave Gilmour pointed out a few years back that big name vintage electric guitars were not necessarily better than copies. A lot of it is in the mind. Most importantly is how a guitar is set up and finding the right tone for the music you want to play. Acoustic guitars are a bit different . The quality is in the tone wood and bracing etc. so to me cheap acoustics usually sound cheap. There are a few exceptions but generally if you want a beautiful sound you are going to need to find a quality luthier. With pick ups you can get away with a lot. As the saying goes life it’s too short for crap guitars, especially acoustic guitars. And you can never have too many guitars variety is the spice of music
If not for these lp type guitars, I would not have a Les Paul. The SC-550 ll is excellent, and on par with my new Epiphone 60s Standard. I can afford a Gibson lp, but would not pay that sort of money for fragile nitro finish and that name.
Its not a matter of were its made its what frets, hardware,electronics pickups,setup, nitro or poly and how skilled you are at modding. Buying a gibson you get a plecked neck better hardware machined parts not cast. Usually better electronics. And should usually have no tech skills to play it right out of box. I have mij, epiphones real gibsons fenders harley bentons,squires . Wilkinson greco ibanez. Guitars are made to be played and enjoyed. But just like buying an acura over a honda their is a difference.
Of Cours but a very small difference and not worth the price tag that they’re asking for that small difference! If you buy an affordable copy and then upgraded you’re still way way ahead of the game without spending a ton of cash! 😃thanks!
I would argue that the Greeny/Moore from Gibson is more of a counterfeit than your Chibson is. The $50 thousand Custom Shop Greeny/Moore is trying to be an exact replica of the $5 million real deal. Your Chibson is just trying to look similar.
And that was my point without spending $$$!You should see my AliExpress 59 Geeny/Moore Chibson and how much work I put into mine to get as close as possible to look the same.
Hi, I am now a few weeks from my 76th birthday anniversary. I started playing guitar at age 15. I have owned many a brand, most of them have been good. In 1964 I bought a new Epi Casino, what a great guitar, except that whenever I tried to work bigger gigs with more volume, it would feed back. In 1971 I bought a new Gibson Custom Sunburst Les Paul, I played it for over 5 years and mostly in the club circuit, so it did not get "Pushed" in volume. One day I met Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones while he was on an Australian tour in about 1972. I asked him about the LP and I said that I found the neck to be a bit thicker than other guitars that I had played and that the frets past the 12th position seemed a bit tight. He suggested that I get the neck shaved which I did and it helped. In 1980, I bought a Standard Fender Strat, it is labelled as a '79 model but has '78 pickups? I still have and play that guitar today and many people compliment me on the sound/tone I get out of it. I have bought a number of LP Chibsons over the past 10 years, 1 of them was exceptional with great off amp sustain through the body. I sold them all off and I do regret it. The LP Custom in my ID pic is a 2004 Gibson LP Custom which cost me AUD$5,500 in 2004. Cheers, G
I own two Vintage guitars. Like you I changed the switch, electronics and put on locking tuners. One is a 2014 Greeny Moore non-distressed with original Wilkinson pickups and the other is a black 2015 with Doug Aldrich pickups. Both play and sound fantastic. I bought the black one for $212 shipped from England when the exchange was great. Btw, I thought the Vintage were made in South Korea.
Sorry I'm not leaving a comment to be nasty, I just wanted to say I sold all my cheap Chinese, Indonesian guitars to buy 1 American made guitar and I couldn't be happier with my decision.
you sir are genuine, i have multiple china , indonesia,korea and japan guitars. i've owned gibsons and got rid of them,i'm not putting gibson down i just like the way the other ones feel and play.but you have to remember to buy a good one not those $200 models.i think the highest i paid for epiphones was $899 the gibsons i bought were at least $2200.
Evening Mr Olsen ... sorry to hear you getting trolled by arsholes ..and idiots ..I,ve never had that experience yet ..you just ignore them and keep doing what you love doing ... great video btw .ATB 👍🇬🇧🤘
Ok, I just looked into those on Amazon and all I see are acoustics for a lot of money and the don't compare to any of these guitars! Thanks for the info & comment!
@beannie60 Hi, thanks for the reply. The guitars that I was referring to are the eastman electrics.I was essentially agreeing with you that the Chinese guitars that I have experience with àre high quality. I have a SB55,an SB59V and a Romeo LA. The aren't cheap but less than half of a Gibson and have better wood, better components, and way better build quality. Watch a few videos when you have time especially on the SB59 V and I think you will see what I mean. 🙂
I have a 2003 Michael Kelly Patriot Q. Number 299 off the line. The maple cap is thick, the abalone inlays and cream binding are perfect. After I swapped the original pups for a 498 and 500, I would not trade this guitar for LP Classic. The binding has yellowed nicely over the last 20 years and it just seems to play better each year.
@manson9083 I would bet a paycheck that your house is absolutely *stuffed* with items that you didnt even know are Chinese or foreign-made. I guarantee it. Guys who scream "Buy American" I usually the ones shopping at Walmart, buying all kinds of stuff with no idea where it's made (hint - probably in a country where English is not the first language.) Guys just love to yell slogans that they, themselves, don't live by.
So, I've been playing ( self taught) for 46 years, and own around 16( around because 1 is in dyer need of repair, and one is a pos bass). Anyway, I own and have owned several Gibsons over those years. I've owned many made in China/Korea/India/Japan too. I own a Les Paul gold top reissue and a Gibson SG, and real Epiphone Les Paul's too. I also have a "Grote off of Amazon Les Paul" that cost $208 shipped. I set the action to my specs, and it plays just as well, if not much better than my triple the price Epiphones. The only difference is the pick ups are not potted and Emmitt screaming feedback even at low volume and are microphones, the guitar feels good, plays well, and sustains just as well as my Gibson. I will totally gig with it after shaping pups, because $208 is easier to replace than $1200. Just MHO and thoughts
You’re doing the same thing that you are telling others not to do…u keep stating “This is better than any Epiphone”!! What makes you so sure? Epiphone is actually making some quality instruments in some cases these days. Why can’t everyone just stop with this bullshit imaginary ranking system and just enjoy whatever it is that YOU enjoy regardless of price, make, model, origin or the opinions of everyone that doesn’t matter.
I've owned over 10 USA Gibson Les Pauls- Standards, Studios, 57, 60 Historics, etc. After owning them for over 10 years, I tried a Chinese Epiphone Les Paul, 2020. It played and sounded as good as my favorite $3,500 Les Pauls. After 2 years, I sold most of my USA Gibsons and bought 7 more Epiphones. All play just as good, sound just as good or better. I changed pickups in some to Gibsin pickups and compared them to the USA Gibsons. Epiphones sounded as good or better. Now. only have 4 Gibson Les Puls, and 8 Epiphones. I play the Epiphones a lot more often.
So glad to hear you talk about copies AND the language use to describe haters. I am not a guitar player although I have several and CAN play one (fairly well I've been told) - not my instrument of choice. I'm a Bass player and would love to hear you do the same for Bass guitars. Been playing for 40+ years and have a decent collection. In the end it's the player, the sound and playability of the of the instrument. Would love to hear it. Thanks Bean.
Gibson Guitar's these days are junk. I bought an SJ-200 Limited edition. spent $5000 on it and it was Horrible. Big Time. Send it to guitars that are coming out of China right now or definitely belt better than what Gibson is doing yet this time. I see not a problem in Buying these Guitar's
Years ago I did guitar repair. Gibson was difficult and snobbish whenever I had to talk to them. They wanted me to spend $5000 on parts which was their requirement to become an authorized Gibson repair shop. I could not imagine how many years it would take me to ever even need those parts. They also lied to me on the phone about certain specifications when I needed that info to repair a Gibson. Then when reading a trade magazine I saw that Gibson was suing Washburn for making the first version of the WP-90 which was an awesome Les Paul copy. I immediately had to check it out and I bought a Washburn WP-50 for about $300. That was in 1988 or 1989. I still have it. It is my main guitar and I own 9 currently. I would not trade this for a genuine Les Paul at any price.
Hey bean my name is Fred and I love your show. Just came across it and I'm from Brooklyn NYC 🗽..Love my harley benton sc custom with EMGs and locking tuners for 350 bucks.
Thank you for your honesty and just to remind people that CNC Machines in many manufacturing areas are made in China and please remember to respect each other and to remind people even Slash his first Les Paul was a copy and still Gibson have made Slash signature models!! Let's please respect our differences and share our experiences. Peace regards from ENGLAND 🏴👍👍
Thank you so much! I have to say that every comment I've read that is polite and positive all came from the UK! Unfortunately we have so much hate and anger here in the US that people look for something so they can vent that frustration. Rock on from across the pond.
I tried out roughly a dozen Gibson 335sa and 339s at my local Guitar Centers. They wouldn't stay in tune worth a damn and I didn't like the finishes. I wound up buying a 339 from Chicago Music Exchange. It sounded great, but it had some ergonomic issues, so I sold it. I wound up buying an Eastman T-59/v. It was roughly half the price of a 335 and very comparable to the 339. In every way it is superior to all the Gibsons I played at GC and the 3 Gibsons I've owned during my lifetime. Absolutely amazing guitar in every way.
Had a Gibson Les Paul Black 2:50 Beauty in the early 80s in a busy cover band. Sacrificed that same guitar in the early 90s Got a brand new Epiphone same model this year.Love it .People are fools .I'm not.i been playing 50 plus years.I still perform. Look good and sound good....
The fun thing about dealing with those types of trolls, because I've dealt with them in real life for the last 40 years, is the fact that these lawsuit era and nowadays, Chinese made Les Paul's, they are not going away. I have been playing a lawsuit era 1981 black Les Paul custom that was originally made by a company that on the headstock said copycat, with a k where the c is. Not Chinese, not Korean like some might think, it was one of the typical Japanese Les Paul copies. I have had this thing since 1985 and have rebuilt all the hardware and electronics probably close to 30 times now, but the body and neck have served me well and that includes touring the US in the '90s, for years, and repainting the body to a black/ blue burst, scuffing down the paint on the back of the neck, including natural wear and tear, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with owning and playing something like this as your major/ main guitar. I have beat the living shit out of this guitar and it keeps on going and taking every bit of it in strike. Ask anyone that seen me play in many thousands of shows over the last 40 years. I am not delicate with my guitars. I have owned a total of three lawsuit era Les Paul's, and I am a huge fan of a body and neck that are set properly, and upgrading the hardware and electronics and setting up the guitar for whatever tuning is needed, and bending twisting ripping strings off the guitar while playing. It makes for great physical theatrics, and honestly at this point I'm going to be 56 in 2 weeks, I think this copy Les Paul has outlasted my own physical body! 🙂 So keep on rocking the way you want to rock -
I appreciate you guys that show us these guitars. I find it amazing that some of these newer name brand guitars are easily as well built or better than a high end Gibson or Fender. Not including custom shop just their average money makers. EART and IYV come to mind. EART necks are first rate.
I have three counterfeit guitars now, with another on the way. But, in 2017 I popped for the real deal Les Paul Standard, so I feel like I did my patriotic duty, but now I can play with my new toys. I'm having loads of fun with my ES335, my '56 custom shop Les Paul with soapbars, and a three color sunburst Strat with rosewood fretboard. I have to say that the ES335 smokes all of them, even my Gibson LP Standard. The one on the way is another 335 in a brown sunburst and tiger maple top. I can't wait till it gets here. Have fun!
Buy a Heritage version of the Les Paul, made in the Kalamazo factory........ Or forget about a Les Paul altogether and get a Gretsch Pro series MIJ like the G6228. The quality of these is through the roof compared to a Gibson of similar price......
It's a no brainer. Do i want 1 Gibson Les Paul, or, do i want 15 good, very playable, knock offs? Give me the 15 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Who freaking cares what the damn headstock says? In my honest, but wise opinion, brand names are for suckers
Hi I'm not a Subscriber but I agree 👍💯 with You 💯 percent...I love My country America but we're not the only People that can Make Great Stuff 😉 in fact it's just like You said many other Countries can Make Good Stuff... It's only Narrow minded People who come up with Dumb Shit.. 😊
@@beannie60 You are Totally welcome My friend I've been playing since the last 60s and from Electric Guitar brand to Fender and Gibson's IV seen it All a Great Axe is about how much Workmanship Craftsmanship and Twerking plus I should add Love... If I like something I could care less about what other people think and while the Guitar snobbs are talking I'm out playing... GOD bless You and now I'm going to subscribe to Your Channel... 😎🎸 looking forward to your next show.. take care..
I love affordable options. I love my Tokai MIJ 59' burst replica as much as I love my 78' Gibson custom. I plug it into a clone of a JTM50 built by a beloved local tech. He thanked me for having him build it and he built it with love. The pickups in the Tokai are PAF copies made by a guy in Ohio who, ironically, now works at Gibson doing R&D for their pickups. I just like things that sound good and look cool. I can't afford a burst but I can get a semblance and it's worth it to me. Nice Gold Top BTW. My next guitar I've decided on will be an SG Chibson. I have a set of Brandonwound T-tops that will be going into it.
I’ve been at this for 44 years and own and have owned very fine as well as vintage jewels and some imports as well. At this point I don’t care what the headstock says. I find Squiers, Epiphones and other imports from Asia to be very good and acceptable instruments. Now with the advent of those and other import brands such as Harley Benton, Vintage, Rally, Guitar Fetish, Xaviere, etc it is a great time for guitar players, especially novices. Back when I was starting out a USA Fender was the starting point for a decent instrument and it cost $800.00 (which was an arm and a leg back then). I built a Greeny model about 15 years ago using a 1980’s Greco Les Paul; I put in a set of Manalishi pickups with the nice ‘50’s wiring. Correct top carve and everything. The only drawback is the weight (10 lbs) and the thick poly finish.
Good point on how all of these great inexpensive guitars out now are nice for the beginners. What a dream to start playing guitar with an actual playable neck. Back in the 70's there were some good copies but as I recall those were even out of my price range. Woah, a 10 pound Greeny Greco? I bet the sustain is out of the world though!
F'em if they can't take a joke. Keep doing what your doing . As long as someone isn't selling a knock off for an original, who cares. People just hate. I watched Zach play a solo on a pink kitty guitar and sounded awesome.
I have a very good copy guitar. It is a 1982-1984 Squier Stratocaster made in Japan. The serial number (2xx xxx) only states 1982-1984. I have since heard these guitars were very sought-after. It is an amazing neck and body, much lighter than my American Stratocaster. I had to put in a pre-wired pickguard which had active EMG DG-20 pick ups. Now it cal last me another 20-30 years. Bought back in 1987 for 215-isd equivalant Dollars.
Thank You! Yes it's the USA E4 strats that are hot and still til this day I don't know why? I know the hole history of that guitar but it's a long story.
I see on thumbnail of your channel what looks like a carvin Bellaire 2/12. I have the nomad . Mine has digital reverb. Does yours have reverb tank? Do they even make this model with tank reverb?
Very well said man! I have 3 Harley Bentons and my favourite is the DC Custom, haven't done anything to it and I love the sound of it. Is your Harley Benton SC the custom one with the push pull pot?
Yes sir!!! I myself had to deal with these snobs. I got one ticked off at me because I told him, okay Mr. Snob, I will explain this to you slow, so you will understand. I cannot see spending $2500-$3000 on a Gibson if I am just a weekend warrior, or if I am just at home jamming or recording. Gibson, and most others that have high priced stuff are geared up for the professional studio/touring musicians. They aren't targeting us weekend warriors. And it's been that way for a long time now. Plus the fact that a lot of these budget guitars, amps, pedals, they have all gotten better with the technology that's out there. I have a Volgoa Tele copy, and man, that is a killer guitar. Plus, the fact is, you play and enjoy what you want. A lot of times, I turn off the comments. I do because me being me, they start dogging me, I will respond, and it's just not worth the b.s.
Cheers, thanks for sharing this. I’ve been eyeballing some Chinese guitars lately because there’s no way I’ll ever have the cash to own them otherwise. I just have to make sure the sellers are legit, which I haven’t started to do yet since I haven’t started to put cash aside yet, but they’re comin’. Screw anyone who thinks I shouldn’t get them. Power to ya buddy.
If Chibson’s are all you say, why not have a different logo on the headstock? Why not something like, Guitar Junky, or some such? After all, you can make them to order, can’t you? Feel free to delete and kick me off your channel if you can’t deal with that.
I picked up an Xaviere from Guitar Fetish for $269 and I love it. The pickups were very hot and have 3.5mm connectors so I can swap with others from their site. I only swapped to the tuners for some cheap Guyker locking ones. I have 6 real Gibsons and a Fender but I use this one when I play with the guys in the garage. I also have the 2021 Epi Alex Lifeson with the piezo, split coils, etc. and it is also really good.
Carl I think Xaviere from Guitar Fetish are very good guitars for the money even though I ripped on Guitar Fetish when I bought an CRAP SBS strat in one of my videos. And when I did have USA made Gibson's I only used my 1980's Flying V with an Ebony board at one of my gigs at the beach, I cherished those guitars so much so that I was afraid to play them let along take them out of my house. And I'm eyeballing the new 2023 Alex Lifeson Epiphone!!! As Wayne's world would say "yes you will be mine" 😃🤩
Although I do like the new Alex Lifeson's look, it does not have the piezo which was my main reason for getting it. With the coil splitting and the piezo you have so many options
What pickups are you using? Sounds like a good deal. If you like a darker Indian laurel I buy the dark wood scratch cover wood oil. It goes a few shades darker. Looks like ebony usually.
Mr Fabulous Guitars D'URBANO MAGNETICS SUPERNATURAL PETER GREEN/GARY MOORE SET 2014 Nickel from Reverb on my Chibson 59 GREENY/MOORE LES PAUL and Tesla fro Amazon for the others.
You are spot on @bean olsen guitar junky I myself own pre-owned Epiphone guitars and one Squier Stratocaster. A guitar is a guitar, no matter where it is made. As you said, upgrade what needs to be done, and play your heart out! Keep on keeping, man!
Great video! People complain about Asian made guitars, but they don't complain about Asian made iPhones, Asian made TV sets, Asian made restaurant food, etc. Gibson may have distinguished themselves in the 20th Century but those days are gone and many newer brands have equalled and surpassed them.
The haters are just mad because they spent $2,000 - $5,000 on a guitar that might be 10% better than a $300 - $500 guitar. They have to take that buyer's remorse out on someone. I don't own any Gibsons or Chibsons, but I've played a few Gibsons and never have I felt like "Ohhh I see why they cost so much." I get that they are more expensive to make in the US, but that doesn't make them better guitars, just more expensive.
I'm with you on the frustration with guitar "cork sniffers." Those are some cool Les Paul-style guitars you have. And while I may not agree that they are better than actual Gibsons or Epiphones, as far as value for money goes, they definitely are. Anyway, I love all guitars - whether they are expensive or affordable. I like to get affordable guitars because they make great modding platforms whereas I'm more reluctant to modify an expensive guitar - and, really, I shouldn't have to if it's supposed to be great right out of the box. Anyway, thanks for the video - keep rockin'.
The China-made guitars are just fine in my experience. As for "infringements" etc, Gibson have done this to themselves with their price gouging. I don't feel bad about these copies at all. The weirdos who feel the need to leave bitter comments, don't let it bother you. They're not worth your putting even the effort of thinking about them. Cheers from Texas.
@@beannie60 Lol, in Brownwood, where I am, there's a small mom/pop music store called "Brownwood Music", and they usually have something cool in there; they've had used Music Man amps, which I missed out on before it was snapped up, lol. One time I went to their row of guitar racks, and the blood rushed from my head when I saw of all things, a Hagstrom Pat Smear signature model... Pat Smear was guitar player for a 1st-wave punk band of the 70s called The Germs, so it was weird that they had a niche, hip item such as that. I'm the only one here who even knows who The Germs ARE, so it was really unseemly, lol. I laid it away, and was going to go get it like 3 paydays later, but when I made the payment of 1/5 of the cost of it, they're nabbing that axe off the rack to hand to me, to take home then and there! 😱 Gotta love small towns! I've bought a Pacific drumkit there, I take my Chinese axes there to get the microphonic pickups and bad tuners sorted, and czeched out and set up. Too many times, I've walked in there on payday to see what kind of financial crisis I can give myself, and I've succeeded more times than I'd like to admit. They have lots of Staff brand stuff, and I have 3 Stagg guitars and a kuel Stagg Precision Bass copy which looks very 50s, with that more primitive-looking and retro 2-way sunburst, instead of the "classier" 3-way sunburst, if I'm making any sense..? Lol. I also tried a Stagg 50-watt 1x12 bass amp in there, and it's shockingly good, so buying it was worth my live-in fiance I met on Facebook and convinced her to move here threatening to go back to Ohio, blaa, ha ha ha. As small music stores go that I've seen before elsewhere, Brownwood Music are really good; I'm lucky we have a place like that.
I think most people know that guitars got their big start in the USA. It was the USA that made them so popular. Other countries like the UK got on board early and were also a big part of the guitars popularity. Think for a moment about Leo Fender. Here's a guy trying to build up a successful business and he did what any smart business person would do, he bought the cheapest parts he could find on the market to build his guitars and amplifier's. It worked. Some where along the line the importance of high quality expensive parts came into fashion. Perfection in everyway was demanded and the industry responded. Take a look at an old fender Telecaster, not much to look at but the math was correct and the guitar did what it was meant to do. Many tried to copy Fender guitars but they did not get the math quite right leaving off brands with a bad reputation. Well first Japan corrected the math, then South Korea and Indonesia and now it is China's turn. Off brand guitars can be as good and even better than US made guitars. The thing to remember is US made guitars set the standard for everyone else. If you can afford a certain guitar that is over priced, fine. I was once a purist and would not even pick up a guitar not made in America. I have since changed my ways and seek value and I do not care who made the guitar. If I could only get back all the money I wasted, oh well live and learn. And yes I know there are some really crappy guitars out there and you need to be careful and really check out a guitar, but that is kind of fun.
I am a Gibson owner, but It's interesting to get a comparison. A good guitar is a good guitar. I had Japanese guitars when they were considered inferior knock offs.
Little note, some Japanese guitars are still knock offs😂. A cheap budget guitar doesn't magically become a high end guitar. I've played really good japanese main instruments and i've played ones that were total garbage. Older Japanese guitars that is.
I would say Burny, Brian Moore, ESP Xtone, PRS SE Zach Myers and Schecter Solo-II are the way to go for a Les Paul in my opinion. The Burnies were some of my favorites, especially the RLC-105S. If you’re looking for a semi-hollow version, the ESP XTone and PRS SE Zach Myers are very happening. With the Epiphones, and various Chinese models, my experience is the same on changing out the electronics (including the pickups) and proper locking tuning machines.
@@beannie60 , a few of the problems I have had with Gibson are the vast numbers of SKUs for the same model, inconsistent Quality Control (QC), lack of control/electronics options, and no extended range options. No stainless steel frets, no multiscale options and acquired brands that got discontinued rather quickly also do not help with garnering new customers. The fact that Gibson dropped all but the ES-3?? lines are a real travesty to me. Then again, for every one ES-175D sold, how many Les Paul’s were sold? I love my Ibanez clone of a ES-345 with Varitone, JSM-20 and LGB300. Would I like to get a Gibson Lucille? Absolutely, but for that amount of money, I’ll stick with an Ibanez or D’Angelico every day of the week (especially if I want a 12-string version), because of availability, QC issues and price. Pardon the slight rant.
Not everyone has the spare cash to buy an American guitar,so should that mean they don’t deserve to play guitar? People buy what they can afford to buy. For those slagging them off,you’re just keyboard hero’s,who for the most part,wouldn’t dare say it to someone’s face.
I have a 1980 Burny, ( made in Japan ) it plays like a dream, incredible neck like a 1960 LP STD. It has Nitro lacquer, it also has a solid maple cap with a killer dish cut. Got it as a husk - I put on older, Seymour Duncan Antiquities, real CTS 500K pots, and bumble bee caps, All the plastic parts are from, Crazy Parts, It looks good, sounds incredible. Peace..
The MIJ Burny/Fernandes/Greco/Tokaï... are great guitars. A friend of mine bought a japanese "SG" style guitar from that era, 20 years ago. he wanted to swap the stock PUs (Maxon) with burstbuckers, I tried it, and told him it would be a crime to do so, those PUs were sounding great, the guitar was flawless. Every now and then when I see him I ask him if he would sell that guitar, and the answer is still "not a chance, do not insist!" :-)
I've been giving the import guitar hater syndrome some thought? Phil McKnight got asked by a viewer how to stop being a guitar snob? I noticed Phil really had no answers? I've come to the conclusion that these insecure people need to belittle others that can find happiness in inexpensive gear. If your soured to the world of affordable gear, don't ruin it for others! Let people have their own levels of fun without judging them.
Yes sir and with your comment it gets pined to the top! Thank You!!!
The funny part about it all, is that I can afford to buy any price guitar. I chose not to spend over $1500 for many reasons. It's my belief the majority of people use the cost as a way to feel superior. I've found I get more enjoyment out of affordable guitars, especially when it triggers toy boys into fits of rage. Latest example of this, is that Dylan character from RUclips that sells pickups. Lately, he's been on the bandwagon about what makes his $3200 hundred dollar Slash model superior. The fact that his girl picked it out, and it weighs over 10lbs. is enough for me to dismiss it outright. I received my first PRS yesterday, an SE McCarty .594 singlecut standard in vintage cherry. It's weighs 7lbs. 12ozs. and was $629. The math doesn't lie.
@@andrewbecker3700To friggin right bud!!! I'm the same way. I'm 32yo, been playing guitar since I was 12yo and professionally since I was 24. I can afford whatever I want, BUT choose to stay in 1k-1200k price range because after that your only jerkin yourself off to have an ultra pretty piece of heavy azz furniture to lug around. I just received my double cut PRS McCarty SE and it's a beast. Definitely gonna be a workhorse for me next to MIJ Jazzmaster. I've come to understand that people who are frustrated that they aren't any good at actually playing guitar have to buy expensive guitars in the hopes that wood and strings that look pretty are going to make them "good" because of it's "mojo" and it's just sad. They take something beautiful and turn it into just another money game.
@@andrewbecker3700 you're so right. I used to be a Gibby fan boy, I bought a LP back in 1993, that was my dream, I spent 75% of my bank account on it, I have a special relationship with that guitar, it sounds good but I won't lie: it has many flaws (I call it "the backbone breaker"). Nowadays, any PRS SE or Yamaha Revstar RS would be a far superior choice, for less than 1/3d of the price. If I really wanted to spend more than 2-3k on an instrument I would go to a local luthier and order a custom made guitar, with my specs.
@@arvetemecha There's just soo many perfectly good guitars out there under $1500. I don't think in this modern day and age it's absolutely nessessary to spend double that to be respected. These mid teir guitars can be hot rodded and set up to be extraordinary, with a little effort and pocket change. Only my Sterling Stingray Ray34 bass and Epiphone '59 LP are factory stock, except straplocks. All the others are heavily modified. That's what I enjoy doing. Buying expensive guitars that your probably not gonna modify, is boring to me. Any goof can have the same guitar. I'm always searching for that something extra out of my guitars. Something better.
If a guitar is built well, finished well, plays well, sounds well and feels well, it is a good guitar.
Yes period amen end of story! Thanks!
For sure dude, where it's made? In a place where they know how to make good guitars.
That's true but really you are taking a big risk buying these fakes from China not trying to talk bad about China but you have about a fifty fifty shot of getting good quality they are always about mass production and they will send anything out even if the paint is horrible they'll say it's okay it's not that bad. Really people you should buy American made but if you don't mind taking risks buy Chinese guitars at your own risk. I've bought three guitars and paid about 300 something for each and they were all shit. I'm not kidding you're taking a risk buying Chinese made sometimes they do okay but sometimes they could send you something that you would get really pissed about.
@@patrickshannon4516
Pat, you do have some good points, I believe in buying American, however the QC on some knockoffs exceeds some US made now. They often offer hassle free exchanges if not perfect . I remember a few years back fighting like hell with “F” to rectify a brand new T-guitar that I received, flawed.
They did not want to stand behind their American product.
@@tomd8313 yes I get that, but these "sweatshops" in China are hiring people with very few guitar luther skills and their main priority is not quality that being said I'm also not here to argue the point of if American quality is any better but these factories in China are not about training or any of that they are more focused on corporate greed than anything else. They hire as many people as they can and pay very low wages and their main priority is how many they can produce. Why do they do that so people like you and I will just say okay it's not real but I want one anyways so I'll go ahead and buy it. It's really a good thing because I myself can't afford a four thousand dollar guitar and even if I could afford it I don't think I would put up that much cash for a guitar so I think more less it's good because it let's people pretend they are playing the real thing... But they do things differently there I'm just here to tell the people what they may or may not know when they buy a guitar from a Chinese factory. Money and greed are more important to them than anything else not our feelings on whether we got a quality instrument...
Thanks for your comments! I started playing in bands in '67 and have owned my share of 50's and 60's Gibson and Fenders(61 SG Les Paul, '57 Tele, '64 Strat to name a few). I also recall the decline in quality of said brands in the 1970's and '80's. In my earlier days there were few options for a quality playing inexpensive guitar- most were junk. That is no longer the case. We are living in a remarkable time for anyone wanting to find a quality guitar at a reasonable price and not married to a "name". I currently own a number of guitars made in China that I consider some of the best playing guitars I've ever owned (check out Eart). Also Viet Nam with IYV ( own 5 of them). 2 favorites of mine are Harley Benton LP Junior's - have played originals and these stand right alongside! True - sometimes you need to do a bit of set up and minor things like polish frets, etc but once you do you have a great instrument. At least that's been my experience.
My IYV Tele with humbuckers is great! I haven’t changed anything. Cheap pots and pickups should clear and full.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts man, I’m glad you get so much enjoyment from your collection. I’m from Liverpool (the original one in England) so all guitars are made overseas as far as I’m concerned - apart from a Gordon Smith I once owned and wish I still had. I really enjoy my own collection which has some American, some Mexican, some Chinese, Indonesian and Korean. What matters isn’t where they’re made or what it says on the brand logo, it’s how they make you feel when you play them so forget the haters and just make your own music.
Thank You!!!
Amen!
I'm also from the UK - I like your comment about overseas guitars! I'm an acoustic player. I recently bought a secondhand Guild dreadnought made in China (a GAD-50). It's first class, right up there with the USA makes both in sound and build quality - and yes, I've owned Martins, Gibsons and Taylors, so I know what a good 'un sounds like.
@@gam1471 Thanks! I have to say that every comment from the UK about any of my guitars from China especially my 59 G/M Chibson are polite respectful and understanding with out any nasty! So I thank you for that! In time on one of my videos I will give a shout out to the friendly people of the UK! You might want to check out my Harley Benton B-Stock Wednesday! Video ruclips.net/video/a5EaQzzzHxk/видео.htmlsi=-Dgmu_-N7IvI9zFX
It just comes down to if it works to help bring out your beauty, doesn't matter WHAT it is, as long as it's doing the job you need it to
Really like your vid. I'm 72 years old. Started playing guitar at the age of 15. Played in numerous bands over the years. When I started playing there were few decent guitars available and the only makers of them were F3nder and Gibbson. Over the years I have owned a lot of guitars from those 2 companies. Now, there are so many good low priced guitars being made that in fact rival the vintage guitars I owned over the years.
A lot of the guitars back in the day were hit or miss. They were made by hand and people make mistakes and sometimes you got a lemon.
I have owned a variety of Asian made guitars that are quite good. I change out hardware and pickups if I think the guitar could be improved. Quite frankly, save your money and stop buying expensive guitars folks and invest in really good amplification. When you are gigging no one knows what the F+++ you are playing but they can sure hear the sound you are producing. AMPS AMPS AMPS. That is where your money should go.
Keep up the good work and F+++ those jerkoffs that quite frankly don't know sh+t about sounding good.
Thank you I will try to avoid those with their stupid comments! 🥴👍
Couldn`t agree more.
If the guitar plays and sounds great, who cares what it is or where it is made! I own a Chinese copy of James Hetfield's Ken Lawrence Explorer, and I absolutely love it. Did it need some work when I got it, yes. A setup, fret polishing, and swapped out the electronics and hardware. I love that guitar! Play what you love, and screw the trolls man. Great video, keep it up!
I always expect to do a little work when spending $2to$300 on any guitar but it still beat paying big buck$. Thanks!
For sure dude, it's about the sound anyway and about you having fun playing that guitar with that sound. It's not about being a "real Gibson" and you going around bragging about how expensive your guitar is. Sure, you sometimes have to pay for quality. But not for a logo on a headstock.
Lot of work for the common person.
@@Olegstuff21986 I agree but if I post a video of my 59-G/M Chibson people go nuts because they realize they payed stupid money just to say they have a USA Gibson and I don't. Thanks!
@@beefnacos6258 But worth it!
I have a Squire and a Fender AMP, and sounds amazing... In the past it was not easy to find a nice guitar with a low price, but now you can get amazing guitars not só expensive...
Im super happy with mine!!!!
Exactly and that's all that matters! Thanks!
I think that we should look down on people that need Gibson written on their guitar.
They are compensating for something else ....
😂👍thanks!
Bean, I stumbled on to this video. I'm a tech. I find the Chibson LP's to range from amazing to awful. Just had one in the shop that the fret scale is all out of whack. BTW, back in the early 90's I was the tech at a large guitar store. Gibson arranged a clinic at our store with your idol! What a wonderful person. When he hung his LP around a 12 year old's neck to show him how to play a certain lick we all just smiled. BTW, we jammed for a good bit after we closed and Gary played my 59 LP Special! Play what you love and screw the Trolls!
So I have 3 chibsons and only one is a wall hanger the other 2 play amazing once I put real pickups and re did the pots. I have 2 schecters and 1 epihone and 3 dean ml . And for the money I have into the chibsons I can't complain. Someone wants to play that's what I hand them.
Thanks so much, you just made my day with your great comment! And yes sometimes it's a crap shoot with any guitar. I've also had my share of problems even with brand name guitars frets, neck pu's, it makes no difference who makes it. Thanks again! Rock on!
@@thedude7726 Very Cool! My 59 Greeny/Moore from AliExpress was my first ever Chibson and with not expecting much I was blown away. Thanks!
If I had room for multiple guitars I would buy a couple Chinese made guitars just for the fun of it. if it plays well, or can easily be moded, why not?
@@gregchristopher1961 Exactly why not indeed! The more the merrier😎! Thanks!
I love cheap guitars.
That's all I buy. Either that, or more expensive guitars that are used.
If you feel you must have a Gibson, go buy one. But don't annoy people that aren't about to pay thousands for 6 letters on a head stock.
Yes sir 100%! 👍
It's a double-edged sword. The less views, the less chances of negativity being dropped in the comments. (I've never gotten a troll) I agree with having a variety of fun to play guitars and using them for different genres and vibes. Playing guitar is about enjoying yourself, not looking down on other players because of what they're playing.
Well said cal 🇬🇧👍
Yes! You said it Cal!
Snobbery is not limited to guitars. We'd all like a Rolls Royce car, but living in the real world, we have to be real.
I bought a Harley Benton Lemon coloured Guitar for around £200 and it is just fantastic. Beautiful looking ( After I removed the odd Scratchplate) The Pickups are amazing. It plays at least as good as my Mexico Fender, which is my most expensive guitar.
So many reviewers of guitars can make the cheap ones sound fab. If you can afford an expensive one, good for you, but most of us are happy with what we have. Great Video, my friend.
Thank you I appreciate it! The great guitars that are being made now are fantastic and we don't have to spend a lot of money just to have a Gibson or Fender logo on the headstock just to say "look what I have" then snubbing their nose at other brands. I've had them all and it's not that we can't afford them we just rather have a guitar that's just as good and keep our money for more great affordable guitars! And I too just started liking the look of the pickguard/scratchplate off the LP's! You Rock!
I absolutely love my Epiphone collection of low end guitars..my Epi 100,and my Epi Trad Pro are fantastic..all made in China as well..I chose them mainly on looks,then tweaked what I needed for my taste.
And theirs nothing wrong with that! It's the guitar snobs that want nothing to do with anything not made in America and shun all things made in China but own lots of things made in China like the Apple phone they use to leave a nasty comment. Thanks!!!
That Harley Benton finish is beautiful!!!
Ty✌🏼
I agree, I have been playing for 35 yrs, and I play a 145 dollar Fesley guitar I bought on Amazon. And I love it!
Right and as long as you love it that's all that maters! One of my friends that's a professional player, his main guitar is not a big brand name! Thanks for your comment!
I heard those fesley Amazon guitars are pretty sweet..which model do you have?
I could careless where a guitar is made as long as it has been done right.
Thanks that’s what I like to hear!
A tip for you. I use many different amps but a favorite of mine is a Roland cube 90 watt. This digital amp has an extension speaker out 8 ohm for a 1x12 cab extension. Its a modeling amp and will match any guitar you have. Great tone and power.
Thank you!
Most of these guitars have a solid maple cap, but the maple is plain, so they also add a flamed maple veneer over the plain maple cap. I don't know of any of them that have ONLY the flamed maple veneer over a carved mahogany body.
By removing the pickups and examining the inside, you can't say that the flamed maple cap doesn't have a veneer. As long as the finish is translucent and shows the wood grain, it most likely is a plain maple cap with a flamed maple veneer. If the finish is solid and not translucent, like on a gold top, then you cannot tell if it is maple without scraping the inside of a cavity. Like I said below, my Chibson 56 P90 goldtop has a particleboard top 😞 I would have never known though if the three-way switch hadn't broken out of the top. I repaired it by taping the top, and pouring epoxy into the cavity from the back. The poker chip is big enough to cover the repair.
We are living in the best time for getting great affordable guitars. And sometime a good guitar needs a little love but then you have a great guitar!
@@beannie60 I remember wanting to get a good beginner guitar back in the seventies. We truly live in a golden age.
God bless ya, man!
Great comments about Chinese guitars! Not all of us have 10's of thousands of dollars to spend on Gibsons, PRS, and Fender Guitars... As long as you can play the thing with ease and it sounds good, who cares where it comes from! And let me tell you, I had a $5,000.00 Les Paul Standard from the Gibson Custom Shop and I played a friends "Chibson" that he did some upgrages to and I liked his better!You have a new sub here, my friend! Keep the faith and keep fighting the good fight, my friend!
God bless and take care...
You Rock Dude!!! Thanks!
. "cheap" guitars in general are more than fine and sound absolutely identical for most applications (where 90% of guitarists play though way too much gain and drown out any dynamics). The issue with cheap guitars is longevity, most of the hardware is made of pot metal and is a lot...A LOT softer than the metal used on higher end guitars. This of course means the frets wear out very quickly. It means the bridge is made of dulling (read: bronze) metal that robs the note of high end. The best thing to do is buy a cheap one and change the bridge (20 bucks). The pots are fine (usually), but are typically small and "feel" odd to those who have used traditional large pots- if you never have played with larger pots,..its not big deal.. My original 90s Epiphone is still a great guitar, i bought it because it was heritage cherry sunburst and looked like Jimmy Page's 59.
Don't sweat nasty comments/trolls- If the second coming of Jesus Christ occured and he started a youtube channel, he would be bombarded with nasty comments like everyone else
Thank you so much 👍! Well said!
Dude, have you seen all these guitars that are coming out of Vietnam and Indonesia etc. that are roasted maple necks with stainless steel frets? I think “Guitar Max” (or something like that) is one RUclips channel where he goes into all of it.
I agree! I love good build platforms! Thanks 😊
Thank you 👍!
The satin finish on the Harley Benton neck looks like a dream to play
It is I did that myself! 👍
*Im British, and absolutely love American made guitars. That said, there are some great Geetars coming out of the sweat shops at ridiculous prices! quality control needs improvement but I have a few now and they work for me.* 😊
That's cool, my wife's mother is from England. Yeah it's all about quality and money. Thanks or should I say cheers!
@@beannie60 🍻
If one is ordering a guitar from China, I wonder if it’s possible to specify no electronics - and have a local tech put in quality stuff. It seems a waste to pay for electronics, only to throw them out.
A good guitar is a good guitar, regardless of its country of origin.
I think most of us would benefit more from spending our money on lessons, rather than more gear, however!
I still think I'd like the electronic's all ready in the guitar so it's easier to change. Thanks!!!
I think imported guitars are the way to go for many people because they are affordable and many have an acceptable level of quality. The key thing to remember is they are built to hit a particular street price. As such, it's not just cheaper labor but also low cost materials that go into the build - the wood, hardware, pickups, pots, switches, even plastics are all lower quality. I've owned a couple of imports along the way that were pretty good but none have stood up as 'better' than the USA made version. It's great that there are so many choices these days at all price points, and at the end of the end day, it comes down to what you can afford and what inspires you to play.
It doesn't matter what kind of guitar you play you have to have talent to make it sound good you could play the cheapest guitar and make it sound good by practicing a lot.
Exactly! EVH used to get leftover seconds that had miner flaws, build it and make it sing!!!
@@beannie60 yeah Eddie Van Halen was also a luthier at building guitar's, he wasn't just a player, he would experiment with fender and Kramer a lot
@@patrickshannon4516 And a great guy to hang with! No holier than thou attitude!
Some so called "chibson" guitar's are decent I've bought some that were okay and some that needed assistance but they aren't horrible guitar's thinking about getting the Ace frehley guitar that you have in the video it got my attention. Wish I could get one with a Floyd Rose in it.
@@patrickshannon4516 My Ace Frehley guitar is a Vintage brand from England however I’ve been looking at those as well the copies that they make on AliExpress eBaylook really good!
I totally agree. There's nothing wrong with a knockoff guitar as long as the thing plays and looks good for you. I have some higher end guitars, and I love a lot of my budget guitars just as much, except they literally cost 90% less lol
Exactly and that's my point, almost everything is made out side of the US because it's cheaper and just as good if not better at times. If only the CEO's and corporate heads take a cut in salary only then can they compete. Thanks!!!
Don't apologise and don't delete the comments good or bad because we all have the right to "voice" opinions, don't get peed off Man be cool and make more Videos! This is all usefull info, thanks.BTW John Hornby Skewes is a UK Music distributor with a very good rep earned from decades of work, if you see JHS it's gonna be good, from Spanish Guitars to brass etc. I wanna hear em now!
Yes and thank you! Although it says in the comments from YT to be respectful I did have a few real nasty ones and I feel people should be able to say what ever they want even if they disagree or hate me for what I am saying, I don't want others to see that and be offended by their repetitive rude comments so those I delete. As for the other bone heads, well I can't stop ignorant people. Rock On!
I don't care where the guitar is made. If you enjoy it and it inspires you...go for it. I've owned just about one of everything from everywhere at this point.
Thank You!
100% agree, don't be a brand whore, buy what you like and play what you like. Owning a $3000 guitar is not going to make you a better guitar player. Stop letting these big brands steal your money, you can get a great guitar for a fraction of the price of the name brands.
Yes yes yes 100%! Thank you!
@@beannie60 for example, I just bought a beautiful brand new Harley Benton sc 450 plus, gold top for the price of ONE Gibson pick up. And it looks, sounds and plays just as good as the brand name guitar it's modeled after. As far as people complaining about where these guitars are coming from, they come from the same places that everything you buy these days come from, we don't manufacture anything in the US anymore, that goes for even Harley Davidson the great "American" machine, the parts are made overseas, they are only assembled here. The fact remains, if you can play guitar you can make any guitar sound great, if you suck at playing guitar your still gonna suck with $3000 guitar. Improving your skills is the key, improving your guitar will do nothing for you except empty your pockets
@@dodissdodatgarage7260 It would be great if all the Gibson snobs on this video read your comment, you rock dude!!!
I had a pre lawsuit ibanez lp custom which i absolutely loved and rated that superior to anything gibson was releasing. It was a special made one for a great Australian guitarist and he ended up taking another one.
Very Cool!
Wow, a pre lawsuit Ibanez LP custom eh? NIce! I had lawsuit Ibanez LP custom and I loved it! The nicest slim taper neck I've ever played, had it for over 40 years until it got stolen. Really superb guitars no doubt!
@@Marcus_C51 That's sucks about your guitar. People have been copying anything good that sells and copy guitars started in the 70's but sometimes they are better then the originals.
@@beannie60 Thanks for your condolences-that was a rough loss. Also had 4 Fender Strats stolen along with it. The crazy thing I didn't mention was I traded a 62 Strat straight across for the Ibanez LP! I still think it was a good decision. However, I haven't looked at what an original one of those is selling for these days-ouch! At the time I'd had the Strat for a couple of months and hated the tiny frets, the action was too low (couldn't seem to raise it enough) and I just wasn't used to single coils. From time to time I'd hear that the guitarist I traded with would ask is he really still playing that thing? ha ha. Yes, you are so right-sometimes the copies play better than the real ones. I also have a partscaster that was made from a Japanese Strat a buddy sold to me after I got the Ibanez LP. Kept the body, put on the thinnest neck I've ever seen and it is a dream to play. Had a really good shop do a complete rework, new whammy bar, bone nut etc. on it and it is like buttah. Have lace sensors in it and love it. I don't understand the disparaging comments I see for Laces, at the time they came out the noise cancelling qualities were a big factor. But they sound great as well. Speaking of 70's guitars, I've heard some 70's Alvarez-Yairi acoustics that sound as nice as Martins they are based on.
@@Marcus_C51 Wow. Yes that’s what I call sellers remorse and I have a lot of that ….
I've had the privilege/curse of owning 3 Les Paul guitars so far. The first one was a Mako Les Paul. It was built like a Tank and about as heavy as one, too! My next Les Paul was a '89 cherry sunburst Standard and my last Les Paul was a '81 Les Paul Custom which was also Cherry Sunburst. I busted my ass to get the money together to get "REAL" Gibson... But... After I got them I absolutely DID NOT enjoy playing gigs with them! I was always worried that someone was going to steal them that I couldn't even enjoy them!! So I sold them. To all of the people who are giving you a hard time about your inexpensive LP type guitars ignore them! Save your money and buy 1 Gibson guitar... Some fool steals it... Then you have 0 Gibson guitar. Save your money and buy 6 LP type guitars for the same money as 1 Gibson guitar... Some fool steals it... You still have 5 guitars! Keep up the great content my friend! One more thing... It's YOUR MONEY SO SPEND IT HOWEVER YOU SEE FIT!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
Thank you so very much for your comment I really do appreciate it! And although it may sound like I’m knocking Gibson guitars I’m just saying there’s other options out there until they come down on there insane prices. And I do miss the Gibsons that I had and now wish I still had the 6 or more that I had, along with all the guitars that I’ve sold over the years!👍
My two favorite guitars are Gretsch, Nick 13 Tiger Jet and a 125th Anniversary Gold Top Pro Jet. Both were made in China and are amazing! The guitars that make you want to play are the best in IMHO 😊👍
I'v been looking at them and trying not to buy one, they are sweet!
Wow-Chinese Gretschs, hadn't even considered going that route. Guitars that make you want to play indeed-they ARE the best!
@@Marcus_C51 Yes thank you!
When it comes to clone guitars, or guitars made overseas, the ONLY problem is have with them is when they are presented as authentics. My favorite guitars are prs. Even then, i only own the se line guitars that are made in indonesia. Ive owned the s2’s and the cores, but i dont see the need to own those when the se play well enough for me.
Be well and happy new year.
Thanks and Happy New Year to you!✌️
My Gibsons are much better than the Chibsons I have had ....but the price I paid for the Gibsons was many times what a Chibson cost. I think if the guitar you get makes you happy and you enjoy playing it then the origin or the brand of the guitar means nothing.Don't let the trolls get you down - keep making videos as your input matters and the trolls have absolutely no value in any meaningful discussion . That Greeny Les Paul looks great and you didn't have to spend $ 20,000 !
Thank you! I really think I got supper lucky with my Greeny/Moore however for me my Chibson was better than any Gibson I ever owned and I spent a lot of time and work on getting my G/M just right.
Of course....😅
1ST THE woods are not same, different on China guitars & Topps are either photo engraved or a thin laminate,, on those chipsons and an inferior microphonic pickups(,change em), and those are fake Grover keys ( change them)! put about $700 + into the guitar before it plays well, almost forgot you have to rewire the entire guitar because the wiring is very thin, plastic and inferior compared to a REAL GIBSONs wiring,, and the PUP SELECTOR SWITCH NEEDS TO REPLACED , will move on you and your input switches are also inferior you have Epiphone like bridge.
@@beannie60yep I also own a Fake Gibson,/ Chibson,it does need some updates,like u said,the puckups#1,& the knockoff Grover tuners,swapped w/ real GROVER TUNERS. THERE'S 2 two ways to tell if they're not real, GROVERS,,( as you probably know) so I also have to rewire mine. Theres no real neck radius, on mine, i s a very flat Radius like a Jackson guitar. After all that and it says Gibson on the headstock. I'm not disappointed with the guitar, EXPECIALLY for the price. I thought this was going to be a wall hanger but it is much more than that it fits in with all my other Gibson's and vintage guitars aesthetically quite well...
@@beannie60what manufacturer did you get your from?
Dave Gilmour pointed out a few years back that big name vintage electric guitars were not necessarily better than copies. A lot of it is in the mind. Most importantly is how a guitar is set up and finding the right tone for the music you want to play. Acoustic guitars are a bit different . The quality is in the tone wood and bracing etc. so to me cheap acoustics usually sound cheap. There are a few exceptions but generally if you want a beautiful sound you are going to need to find a quality luthier. With pick ups you can get away with a lot. As the saying goes life it’s too short for crap guitars, especially acoustic guitars. And you can never have too many guitars variety is the spice of music
Great great comment especially the last sentience Simon!!! Thanks!
If not for these lp type guitars, I would not have a Les Paul.
The SC-550 ll is excellent, and on par with my new Epiphone 60s Standard.
I can afford a Gibson lp, but would not pay that sort of money for fragile nitro finish and that name.
That’s Awesome, thanks!
Its not a matter of were its made its what frets, hardware,electronics pickups,setup, nitro or poly and how skilled you are at modding.
Buying a gibson you get a plecked neck better hardware machined parts not cast. Usually better electronics. And should usually have no tech skills to play it right out of box. I have mij, epiphones real gibsons fenders harley bentons,squires . Wilkinson greco ibanez. Guitars are made to be played and enjoyed. But just like buying an acura over a honda their is a difference.
Of Cours but a very small difference and not worth the price tag that they’re asking for that small difference! If you buy an affordable copy and then upgraded you’re still way way ahead of the game without spending a ton of cash! 😃thanks!
I would argue that the Greeny/Moore from Gibson is more of a counterfeit than your Chibson is. The $50 thousand Custom Shop Greeny/Moore is trying to be an exact replica of the $5 million real deal. Your Chibson is just trying to look similar.
And that was my point without spending $$$!You should see my AliExpress 59 Geeny/Moore Chibson and how much work I put into mine to get as close as possible to look the same.
@@beannie60 I really enjoy working on my guitars, and making them unique. With an inexpensive guitar I don't have to ruining it's "collector" value.
Hi, I am now a few weeks from my 76th birthday anniversary. I started playing guitar at age 15.
I have owned many a brand, most of them have been good. In 1964 I bought a new Epi Casino, what a great guitar, except that whenever I tried to work bigger gigs with more volume, it would feed back. In 1971 I bought a new Gibson Custom Sunburst Les Paul, I played it for over 5 years and mostly in the club circuit, so it did not get "Pushed" in volume. One day I met Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones while he was on an Australian tour in about 1972. I asked him about the LP and I said that I found the neck to be a bit thicker than other guitars that I had played and that the frets past the 12th position seemed a bit tight. He suggested that I get the neck shaved which I did and it helped. In 1980, I bought a Standard Fender Strat, it is labelled as a '79 model but has '78 pickups? I still have and play that guitar today and many people compliment me on the sound/tone I get out of it. I have bought a number of LP Chibsons over the past 10 years, 1 of them was exceptional with great off amp sustain through the body. I sold them all off and I do regret it. The LP Custom in my ID pic is a 2004 Gibson LP Custom which cost me AUD$5,500 in 2004. Cheers, G
Very cool story I appreciate your comment!🤩👍
P.S. my birthday is next month.
Very cool comment thanks!
I own two Vintage guitars. Like you I changed the switch, electronics and put on locking tuners. One is a 2014 Greeny Moore non-distressed with original Wilkinson pickups and the other is a black 2015 with Doug Aldrich pickups. Both play and sound fantastic. I bought the black one for $212 shipped from England when the exchange was great. Btw, I thought the Vintage were made in South Korea.
That's Great I've seen that Vintage G/M new and distressed and they both look great! Thanks!
The Chinese were making fretted instruments long before Gibson came along.
COOL!
Sorry I'm not leaving a comment to be nasty, I just wanted to say I sold all my cheap Chinese, Indonesian guitars to buy 1 American made guitar and I couldn't be happier with my decision.
And that's fantastic! It's all about preference right.
Congrats
you sir are genuine, i have multiple china , indonesia,korea and japan guitars. i've owned gibsons and got rid of them,i'm not putting gibson down i just like the way the other ones feel and play.but you have to remember to buy a good one not those $200 models.i think the highest i paid for epiphones was $899 the gibsons i bought were at least $2200.
Thank You! I think Epiphone is making way better guitars then Gibson.
Evening Mr Olsen ... sorry to hear you getting trolled by arsholes ..and idiots ..I,ve never had that experience yet ..you just ignore them and keep doing what you love doing ... great video btw .ATB 👍🇬🇧🤘
Thanks! Rock on!!!
I love Gibson les paul guitars. But there is no way I can pay $2,500 to $3,000 for a guitar.
Me Too! Thank You!
I have a few gibson guitars and a few eastman guitars I'm sorry to say it but the eastmans are just better,
Ok, I just looked into those on Amazon and all I see are acoustics for a lot of money and the don't compare to any of these guitars! Thanks for the info & comment!
@beannie60 Hi, thanks for the reply. The guitars that I was referring to are the eastman electrics.I was essentially agreeing with you that the Chinese guitars that I have experience with àre high quality. I have a SB55,an SB59V and a Romeo LA. The aren't cheap but less than half of a Gibson and have better wood, better components, and way better build quality. Watch a few videos when you have time especially on the SB59 V and I think you will see what I mean. 🙂
Eastman are better
I have a 2003 Michael Kelly Patriot Q. Number 299 off the line. The maple cap is thick, the abalone inlays and cream binding are perfect. After I swapped the original pups for a 498 and 500, I would not trade this guitar for LP Classic. The binding has yellowed nicely over the last 20 years and it just seems to play better each year.
That’s great 👍 thanks!
Buy American support America.
So every thing you own is MADE IN AMERICA? I THINK NOT! Who makes the phone your on???
@manson9083 I would bet a paycheck that your house is absolutely *stuffed* with items that you didnt even know are Chinese or foreign-made. I guarantee it. Guys who scream "Buy American" I usually the ones shopping at Walmart, buying all kinds of stuff with no idea where it's made (hint - probably in a country where English is not the first language.) Guys just love to yell slogans that they, themselves, don't live by.
@@TimmyAndTammyScumbag Thank You So Much!
Have you ever played one of the 59 reissue epiphone Paul’s with Gibson burst buckers . Very impressive for an epi
I'm sure they are Epiphone are great guitars, I only played a USA 59 reissue Gibson and it was killer good!
So, I've been playing ( self taught) for 46 years, and own around 16( around because 1 is in dyer need of repair, and one is a pos bass). Anyway, I own and have owned several Gibsons over those years. I've owned many made in China/Korea/India/Japan too. I own a Les Paul gold top reissue and a Gibson SG, and real Epiphone Les Paul's too. I also have a "Grote off of Amazon Les Paul" that cost $208 shipped. I set the action to my specs, and it plays just as well, if not much better than my triple the price Epiphones. The only difference is the pick ups are not potted and Emmitt screaming feedback even at low volume and are microphones, the guitar feels good, plays well, and sustains just as well as my Gibson. I will totally gig with it after shaping pups, because $208 is easier to replace than $1200. Just MHO and thoughts
I appreciate your comment, thanks!
You’re doing the same thing that you are telling others not to do…u keep stating “This is better than any Epiphone”!! What makes you so sure? Epiphone is actually making some quality instruments in some cases these days. Why can’t everyone just stop with this bullshit imaginary ranking system and just enjoy whatever it is that YOU enjoy regardless of price, make, model, origin or the opinions of everyone that doesn’t matter.
Because I have an Epiphone!!! And I've had USA Gibson Custom Shop Guitars thank you very much 😀...
I've owned over 10 USA Gibson Les Pauls- Standards, Studios, 57, 60 Historics, etc. After owning them for over 10 years, I tried a Chinese Epiphone Les Paul, 2020. It played and sounded as good as my favorite $3,500 Les Pauls. After 2 years, I sold most of my USA Gibsons and bought 7 more Epiphones. All play just as good, sound just as good or better. I changed pickups in some to Gibsin pickups and compared them to the USA Gibsons. Epiphones sounded as good or better. Now. only have 4 Gibson Les Puls, and 8 Epiphones. I play the Epiphones a lot more often.
That’s awesome just goes to show it doesn’t matter where they made as long as you like it! Thanks!
@@beannie60 $3,500 Gibson and $500 Epiphone sounded the same with same pickups and wiring.
So glad to hear you talk about copies AND the language use to describe haters. I am not a guitar player although I have several and CAN play one (fairly well I've been told) - not my instrument of choice. I'm a Bass player and would love to hear you do the same for Bass guitars. Been playing for 40+ years and have a decent collection. In the end it's the player, the sound and playability of the of the instrument. Would love to hear it. Thanks Bean.
Thank you for your comment! Unfortunately I don’t have any bass guitars and I haven’t played one in years.
Gibson Guitar's these days are junk. I bought an SJ-200 Limited edition. spent $5000 on it and it was Horrible. Big Time. Send it to guitars that are coming out of China right now or definitely belt better than what Gibson is doing yet this time. I see not a problem in Buying these Guitar's
Years ago I did guitar repair. Gibson was difficult and snobbish whenever I had to talk to them. They wanted me to spend $5000 on parts which was their requirement to become an authorized Gibson repair shop. I could not imagine how many years it would take me to ever even need those parts. They also lied to me on the phone about certain specifications when I needed that info to repair a Gibson. Then when reading a trade magazine I saw that Gibson was suing Washburn for making the first version of the WP-90 which was an awesome Les Paul copy. I immediately had to check it out and I bought a Washburn WP-50 for about $300. That was in 1988 or 1989. I still have it. It is my main guitar and I own 9 currently. I would not trade this for a genuine Les Paul at any price.
I appreciate your comment, thank you!
Cool collection of guitars! I'll be on the look out for some of these on my next guitar purchase.
I still think anything is better then a $2000+ Gibson, thanks!
Hey bean my name is Fred and I love your show. Just came across it and I'm from Brooklyn NYC 🗽..Love my harley benton sc custom with EMGs and locking tuners for 350 bucks.
Thank You Fred form Brooklyn!!! My parents moved from Brooklyn to the Island in 1960. HB guitars are the BEST!
Is there anyway to send a picture??
If you can find a Dillion LP copy, check them out.
Ok will do! Thanks!
Thank you for your honesty and just to remind people that CNC Machines in many manufacturing areas are made in China and please remember to respect each other and to remind people even Slash his first Les Paul was a copy and still Gibson have made Slash signature models!! Let's please respect our differences and share our experiences. Peace regards from ENGLAND 🏴👍👍
Thank you so much! I have to say that every comment I've read that is polite and positive all came from the UK! Unfortunately we have so much hate and anger here in the US that people look for something so they can vent that frustration. Rock on from across the pond.
I tried out roughly a dozen Gibson 335sa and 339s at my local Guitar Centers. They wouldn't stay in tune worth a damn and I didn't like the finishes. I wound up buying a 339 from Chicago Music Exchange. It sounded great, but it had some ergonomic issues, so I sold it. I wound up buying an Eastman T-59/v. It was roughly half the price of a 335 and very comparable to the 339. In every way it is superior to all the Gibsons I played at GC and the 3 Gibsons I've owned during my lifetime. Absolutely amazing guitar in every way.
It
s to have a good selection now a days, not like when we were growing up. Thanks!
Going forward if you are able to ad purchase link it's much appreciated. Beautiful guitar
I made another video about my G/M LP in detail. ruclips.net/video/M1ou_HtwcNM/видео.htmlsi=Vb8BlhSkjB2JwZdJ
I really enjoyed this video, and subscribed, just because I really like your style. You say it like it is.
Thank you. Solid informational.
Thanks I appreciate it! I try as best I can to tell it like it is without pissing off the Gibson Crazies 😄.
Very solid
@@redelk2974 👍
Had a Gibson Les Paul Black 2:50 Beauty in the early 80s in a busy cover band. Sacrificed that same guitar in the early 90s Got a brand new Epiphone same model this year.Love it .People are fools .I'm not.i been playing 50 plus years.I still perform. Look good and sound good....
YES SIR!
The fun thing about dealing with those types of trolls, because I've dealt with them in real life for the last 40 years, is the fact that these lawsuit era and nowadays, Chinese made Les Paul's, they are not going away. I have been playing a lawsuit era 1981 black Les Paul custom that was originally made by a company that on the headstock said copycat, with a k where the c is. Not Chinese, not Korean like some might think, it was one of the typical Japanese Les Paul copies. I have had this thing since 1985 and have rebuilt all the hardware and electronics probably close to 30 times now, but the body and neck have served me well and that includes touring the US in the '90s, for years, and repainting the body to a black/ blue burst, scuffing down the paint on the back of the neck, including natural wear and tear, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with owning and playing something like this as your major/ main guitar. I have beat the living shit out of this guitar and it keeps on going and taking every bit of it in strike. Ask anyone that seen me play in many thousands of shows over the last 40 years. I am not delicate with my guitars. I have owned a total of three lawsuit era Les Paul's, and I am a huge fan of a body and neck that are set properly, and upgrading the hardware and electronics and setting up the guitar for whatever tuning is needed, and bending twisting ripping strings off the guitar while playing. It makes for great physical theatrics, and honestly at this point I'm going to be 56 in 2 weeks, I think this copy Les Paul has outlasted my own physical body! 🙂 So keep on rocking the way you want to rock -
Thank you! I’d love to see see guitar too bad we can’t add pictures to the comments like you can on Facebook! Rock On!🤘
Looks like you enjoy ur guitars and customize them. Thank you for all info. 👍
Your welcome! I really don't like customize them but I like them a certain way. Thanks!
I appreciate you guys that show us these guitars. I find it amazing that some of these newer name brand guitars are easily as well built or better than a high end Gibson or Fender. Not including custom shop just their average money makers. EART and IYV come to mind. EART necks are first rate.
With such a variety of guitar makers we have better yet less affordable guitars to choose from! 👍thanks!
i love my vintage v100,just had a pro set up,and it sounds awesome!!!
Great to hear! Thanks!!!
I have three counterfeit guitars now, with another on the way. But, in 2017 I popped for the real deal Les Paul Standard, so I feel like I did my patriotic duty, but now I can play with my new toys. I'm having loads of fun with my ES335, my '56 custom shop Les Paul with soapbars, and a three color sunburst Strat with rosewood fretboard. I have to say that the ES335 smokes all of them, even my Gibson LP Standard. The one on the way is another 335 in a brown sunburst and tiger maple top. I can't wait till it gets here.
Have fun!
That's Great! Rock On!
Buy a Heritage version of the Les Paul, made in the Kalamazo factory........ Or forget about a Les Paul altogether and get a Gretsch Pro series MIJ like the G6228. The quality of these is through the roof compared to a Gibson of similar price......
I've read a lot of great comments on both!
Dude, those Heritage guitars are pretty amazing… still too pricey though.
It's a no brainer. Do i want 1 Gibson Les Paul, or, do i want 15 good, very playable, knock offs? Give me the 15 every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Who freaking cares what the damn headstock says? In my honest, but wise opinion, brand names are for suckers
Really enjoyed your video ! Enjoyed every minute ! Thanks !
Your welcome and I appreciate it! Rock On!
To each their own. The most important thing is having something to play.
YES SIR!
Hi I'm not a Subscriber but I agree 👍💯 with You 💯 percent...I love My country America but we're not the only People that can Make Great Stuff 😉 in fact it's just like You said many other Countries can Make Good Stuff...
It's only Narrow minded People who come up with Dumb Shit.. 😊
Thank so much for that Terry!
@@beannie60 You are Totally welcome My friend I've been playing since the last 60s and from Electric Guitar brand to Fender and Gibson's IV seen it All a Great Axe is about how much Workmanship Craftsmanship and Twerking plus I should add Love... If I like something I could care less about what other people think and while the Guitar snobbs are talking I'm out playing... GOD bless You and now I'm going to subscribe to Your Channel... 😎🎸 looking forward to your next show.. take care..
@@terrycockell Thank you very much you Rock Terry!
I get Chibsons through a guy named jason jia who does badcat guitars. He does great work too. Nice Greeny!
Very cool thanks!✌️
I love affordable options. I love my Tokai MIJ 59' burst replica as much as I love my 78' Gibson custom. I plug it into a clone of a JTM50 built by a beloved local tech. He thanked me for having him build it and he built it with love. The pickups in the Tokai are PAF copies made by a guy in Ohio who, ironically, now works at Gibson doing R&D for their pickups. I just like things that sound good and look cool. I can't afford a burst but I can get a semblance and it's worth it to me. Nice Gold Top BTW.
My next guitar I've decided on will be an SG Chibson. I have a set of Brandonwound T-tops that will be going into it.
That's Very Cool!
How could I make sure that I got a good chibson.anyone know
Do a lot of research and communicate back and forth with pictures from the seller, but it is a chance of what kind of quality you get. Good Luck!
I’ve been at this for 44 years and own and have owned very fine as well as vintage jewels and some imports as well. At this point I don’t care what the headstock says. I find Squiers, Epiphones and other imports from Asia to be very good and acceptable instruments. Now with the advent of those and other import brands such as Harley Benton, Vintage, Rally, Guitar Fetish, Xaviere, etc it is a great time for guitar players, especially novices. Back when I was starting out a USA Fender was the starting point for a decent instrument and it cost $800.00 (which was an arm and a leg back then). I built a Greeny model about 15 years ago using a 1980’s Greco Les Paul; I put in a set of Manalishi pickups with the nice ‘50’s wiring. Correct top carve and everything. The only drawback is the weight (10 lbs) and the thick poly finish.
Thank You! I see lots of people saying they have Greco guitars, I have to check them out!
Good point on how all of these great inexpensive guitars out now are nice for the beginners. What a dream to start playing guitar with an actual playable neck. Back in the 70's there were some good copies but as I recall those were even out of my price range. Woah, a 10 pound Greeny Greco? I bet the sustain is out of the world though!
If gibson made more reasonably priced good guitars, criticism would be valid.
Enjoyed your show, and respect your opinion. I have several Vintage Brand Guitars, they are great! Keep Rocking Brother!!! 🎸 👏 🎸 ✌️ 😎
Thank you I really do appreciate it!!!✌️
Eastman guitars made in china ,top quality great guitars .
Yes and I think everything coming out of China is keeping up or surpassing the US made guitars just like Japan did years ago. Thanks!
F'em if they can't take a joke. Keep doing what your doing . As long as someone isn't selling a knock off for an original, who cares. People just hate. I watched Zach play a solo on a pink kitty guitar and sounded awesome.
I have a very good copy guitar. It is a 1982-1984 Squier Stratocaster made in Japan. The serial number (2xx xxx) only states 1982-1984. I have since heard these guitars were very sought-after. It is an amazing neck and body, much lighter than my American Stratocaster. I had to put in a pre-wired pickguard which had active EMG DG-20 pick ups. Now it cal last me another 20-30 years. Bought back in 1987 for 215-isd equivalant Dollars.
Thank You! Yes it's the USA E4 strats that are hot and still til this day I don't know why? I know the hole history of that guitar but it's a long story.
I see on thumbnail of your channel what looks like a carvin Bellaire 2/12. I have the nomad .
Mine has digital reverb. Does yours have reverb tank? Do they even make this model with tank reverb?
Yes it is and it sounds better than my Fender Twin. Thanks!
Very well said man! I have 3 Harley Bentons and my favourite is the DC Custom, haven't done anything to it and I love the sound of it. Is your Harley Benton SC the custom one with the push pull pot?
No my HB SC 550 Deluxe II has nothing like that very basic but awesome! Thanks!
Yes sir!!! I myself had to deal with these snobs. I got one ticked off at me because I told him, okay Mr. Snob, I will explain this to you slow, so you will understand. I cannot see spending $2500-$3000 on a Gibson if I am just a weekend warrior, or if I am just at home jamming or recording. Gibson, and most others that have high priced stuff are geared up for the professional studio/touring musicians. They aren't targeting us weekend warriors. And it's been that way for a long time now. Plus the fact that a lot of these budget guitars, amps, pedals, they have all gotten better with the technology that's out there. I have a Volgoa Tele copy, and man, that is a killer guitar. Plus, the fact is, you play and enjoy what you want. A lot of times, I turn off the comments. I do because me being me, they start dogging me, I will respond, and it's just not worth the b.s.
👍😂 that’s awesome!
Cheers, thanks for sharing this. I’ve been eyeballing some Chinese guitars lately because there’s no way I’ll ever have the cash to own them otherwise. I just have to make sure the sellers are legit, which I haven’t started to do yet since I haven’t started to put cash aside yet, but they’re comin’. Screw anyone who thinks I shouldn’t get them. Power to ya buddy.
Rock On Brother! And good luck with your search!
@@beannie60 Cheers amigo!
Cheers Dude!👍
If Chibson’s are all you say, why not have a different logo on the headstock? Why not something like, Guitar Junky, or some such? After all, you can make them to order, can’t you? Feel free to delete and kick me off your channel if you can’t deal with that.
Here we go! For the umpteenth time like I said in my video " it was to come with an ALL BLACK HEADSTOCK"! And yes I can deal with it, you can't!
I picked up an Xaviere from Guitar Fetish for $269 and I love it. The pickups were very hot and have 3.5mm connectors so I can swap with others from their site. I only swapped to the tuners for some cheap Guyker locking ones. I have 6 real Gibsons and a Fender but I use this one when I play with the guys in the garage. I also have the 2021 Epi Alex Lifeson with the piezo, split coils, etc. and it is also really good.
Carl I think Xaviere from Guitar Fetish are very good guitars for the money even though I ripped on Guitar Fetish when I bought an CRAP SBS strat in one of my videos. And when I did have USA made Gibson's I only used my 1980's Flying V with an Ebony board at one of my gigs at the beach, I cherished those guitars so much so that I was afraid to play them let along take them out of my house. And I'm eyeballing the new 2023 Alex Lifeson Epiphone!!! As Wayne's world would say "yes you will be mine" 😃🤩
Although I do like the new Alex Lifeson's look, it does not have the piezo which was my main reason for getting it. With the coil splitting and the piezo you have so many options
@@carlbarton4912 I only like when they have the phase switch I’m not too concerned about anything else but I’d still like to have one!🤩
What pickups are you using? Sounds like a good deal. If you like a darker Indian laurel I buy the dark wood scratch cover wood oil. It goes a few shades darker. Looks like ebony usually.
Mr Fabulous Guitars D'URBANO MAGNETICS SUPERNATURAL PETER GREEN/GARY MOORE SET 2014 Nickel from Reverb on my Chibson 59 GREENY/MOORE LES PAUL and Tesla fro Amazon for the others.
You are spot on @bean olsen guitar junky I myself own pre-owned Epiphone guitars and one Squier Stratocaster. A guitar is a guitar, no matter where it is made. As you said, upgrade what needs to be done, and play your heart out! Keep on keeping, man!
Thank you!
Great video! People complain about Asian made guitars, but they don't complain about Asian made iPhones, Asian made TV sets, Asian made restaurant food, etc. Gibson may have distinguished themselves in the 20th Century but those days are gone and many newer brands have equalled and surpassed them.
YES YES YES!
The haters are just mad because they spent $2,000 - $5,000 on a guitar that might be 10% better than a $300 - $500 guitar. They have to take that buyer's remorse out on someone. I don't own any Gibsons or Chibsons, but I've played a few Gibsons and never have I felt like "Ohhh I see why they cost so much." I get that they are more expensive to make in the US, but that doesn't make them better guitars, just more expensive.
Yes so true!!! Thank You!
I'm with you on the frustration with guitar "cork sniffers." Those are some cool Les Paul-style guitars you have. And while I may not agree that they are better than actual Gibsons or Epiphones, as far as value for money goes, they definitely are. Anyway, I love all guitars - whether they are expensive or affordable. I like to get affordable guitars because they make great modding platforms whereas I'm more reluctant to modify an expensive guitar - and, really, I shouldn't have to if it's supposed to be great right out of the box. Anyway, thanks for the video - keep rockin'.
👍🏼Thanks so much for your comment! That’s exactly what I mean, the price value! ✌🏼
The China-made guitars are just fine in my experience. As for "infringements" etc, Gibson have done this to themselves with their price gouging. I don't feel bad about these copies at all. The weirdos who feel the need to leave bitter comments, don't let it bother you. They're not worth your putting even the effort of thinking about them. Cheers from Texas.
Thank You So Much! Any good guitars store around the US Air Force boot camp in Texas?
@@beannie60 Lol, in Brownwood, where I am, there's a small mom/pop music store called "Brownwood Music", and they usually have something cool in there; they've had used Music Man amps, which I missed out on before it was snapped up, lol. One time I went to their row of guitar racks, and the blood rushed from my head when I saw of all things, a Hagstrom Pat Smear signature model... Pat Smear was guitar player for a 1st-wave punk band of the 70s called The Germs, so it was weird that they had a niche, hip item such as that. I'm the only one here who even knows who The Germs ARE, so it was really unseemly, lol. I laid it away, and was going to go get it like 3 paydays later, but when I made the payment of 1/5 of the cost of it, they're nabbing that axe off the rack to hand to me, to take home then and there! 😱
Gotta love small towns! I've bought a Pacific drumkit there, I take my Chinese axes there to get the microphonic pickups and bad tuners sorted, and czeched out and set up. Too many times, I've walked in there on payday to see what kind of financial crisis I can give myself, and I've succeeded more times than I'd like to admit. They have lots of Staff brand stuff, and I have 3 Stagg guitars and a kuel Stagg Precision Bass copy which looks very 50s, with that more primitive-looking and retro 2-way sunburst, instead of the "classier" 3-way sunburst, if I'm making any sense..? Lol. I also tried a Stagg 50-watt 1x12 bass amp in there, and it's shockingly good, so buying it was worth my live-in fiance I met on Facebook and convinced her to move here threatening to go back to Ohio, blaa, ha ha ha. As small music stores go that I've seen before elsewhere, Brownwood Music are really good; I'm lucky we have a place like that.
I think most people know that guitars got their big start in the USA. It was the USA that made them so popular. Other countries like the UK got on board early and were also a big part of the guitars popularity. Think for a moment about Leo Fender. Here's a guy trying to build up a successful business and he did what any smart business person would do, he bought the cheapest parts he could find on the market to build his guitars and amplifier's. It worked. Some where along the line the importance of high quality expensive parts came into fashion. Perfection in everyway was demanded and the industry responded. Take a look at an old fender Telecaster, not much to look at but the math was correct and the guitar did what it was meant to do. Many tried to copy Fender guitars but they did not get the math quite right leaving off brands with a bad reputation. Well first Japan corrected the math, then South Korea and Indonesia and now it is China's turn. Off brand guitars can be as good and even better than US made guitars. The thing to remember is US made guitars set the standard for everyone else. If you can afford a certain guitar that is over priced, fine. I was once a purist and would not even pick up a guitar not made in America. I have since changed my ways and seek value and I do not care who made the guitar. If I could only get back all the money I wasted, oh well live and learn. And yes I know there are some really crappy guitars out there and you need to be careful and really check out a guitar, but that is kind of fun.
Thank you so very much for your comment, well said William well said!👍
I am a Gibson owner, but It's interesting to get a comparison. A good guitar is a good guitar. I had Japanese guitars when they were considered inferior knock offs.
Little note, some Japanese guitars are still knock offs😂. A cheap budget guitar doesn't magically become a high end guitar. I've played really good japanese main instruments and i've played ones that were total garbage. Older Japanese guitars that is.
I would say Burny, Brian Moore, ESP Xtone, PRS SE Zach Myers and Schecter Solo-II are the way to go for a Les Paul in my opinion.
The Burnies were some of my favorites, especially the RLC-105S. If you’re looking for a semi-hollow version, the ESP XTone and PRS SE Zach Myers are very happening.
With the Epiphones, and various Chinese models, my experience is the same on changing out the electronics (including the pickups) and proper locking tuning machines.
Yes and that's my point we have so many options that Gibson ins't the end all be all. Thanks!
@@beannie60 , a few of the problems I have had with Gibson are the vast numbers of SKUs for the same model, inconsistent Quality Control (QC), lack of control/electronics options, and no extended range options. No stainless steel frets, no multiscale options and acquired brands that got discontinued rather quickly also do not help with garnering new customers.
The fact that Gibson dropped all but the ES-3?? lines are a real travesty to me. Then again, for every one ES-175D sold, how many Les Paul’s were sold? I love my Ibanez clone of a ES-345 with Varitone, JSM-20 and LGB300. Would I like to get a Gibson Lucille? Absolutely, but for that amount of money, I’ll stick with an Ibanez or D’Angelico every day of the week (especially if I want a 12-string version), because of availability, QC issues and price.
Pardon the slight rant.
Not everyone has the spare cash to buy an American guitar,so should that mean they don’t deserve to play guitar?
People buy what they can afford to buy.
For those slagging them off,you’re just keyboard hero’s,who for the most part,wouldn’t dare say it to someone’s face.
Yes! Thank you they are like telephone tough guys hiding on the web!
I have a 1980 Burny, ( made in Japan ) it plays like a dream, incredible neck like a 1960 LP STD.
It has Nitro lacquer, it also has a solid maple cap with a killer dish cut.
Got it as a husk - I put on older, Seymour Duncan Antiquities,
real CTS 500K pots, and bumble bee caps, All the plastic parts are from, Crazy Parts,
It looks good, sounds incredible.
Peace..
The MIJ Burny/Fernandes/Greco/Tokaï... are great guitars.
A friend of mine bought a japanese "SG" style guitar from that era, 20 years ago. he wanted to swap the stock PUs (Maxon) with burstbuckers, I tried it, and told him it would be a crime to do so, those PUs were sounding great, the guitar was flawless. Every now and then when I see him I ask him if he would sell that guitar, and the answer is still "not a chance, do not insist!" :-)
Yes you can get a great guitar for $200-$300 and just put a little more into it to make it what you want. Thanks!!!
@@arvetemecha Yes Yes Yes! Thank You!